CA seeks long term NRB contributions

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Chief Adviser Fakhruddin Ahmed called on expatriate Bangladeshis to help the country become a middle-income state by 2021 with their long-term contributions as the first non-resident Bangladeshi (NRB) conference drew to a close yesterday.

The chief adviser also handed out eight awards of excellence to eight individuals, four each from residents and the NRBs, for their contribution in the fields of arts, technology and innovation, health, and education.

The eight award recipients are artist Monirul Islam and singer Kalim Sharafi for arts, entrepreneur and academic Iqbal Quadir and farmer-scientist Haripada Kapali, doctors ABM Fazlul Karim and MR Khan for health, and professors Fazle Hussain and Jamal Nazrul Islam for education and research.

The concluding ceremony of the three-day conference also saw acting Army Chief Lt Gen Jahangir Alam Chowdhury proposing to change the constitution for granting equal rights to the NRBs and setting up a development bank run with remittances received from expatriates.

“I encourage NRBs to continue and expand these efforts to ensure that the skills developed abroad by our citizens can be used to the fullest advantage of our nation,” said Fakhruddin to the audience comprising over 1,000 expatriates who attended the NRB conference organised by Scholars Bangladesh.

The country’s goal is to become a middle-income country by 2021 to coincide with 50 years of independence and the goal can only be achieved with the support from citizens at home and abroad, the chief adviser said.

Expressing gratitude and pride on behalf of the nation for the successful achievements of the NRBs, Fakhruddin said that there is an urgent need to devise sustainable ways to pool financial and human capital for the country’s development.

“It is now necessary more than ever to create the environment and opportunity for the NRBs to make long-term contributions to the socio-economic progress of the nation,” he added.

In a rare open question and answer session, Fakhruddin said the government and the Election Commission are still trying to work out the legal and logistical issues about allowing the NRBs to vote.

He also urged the NRBs to establish a forum through which they can formally engage in activities with local administration and organisations.

Lt Gen Jahangir, acting Army chief and also the quartermaster general, proposed that the constitution should be changed to give dual citizens the same rights enjoyed by resident Bangladeshis.

The government has received a proposal to establish a development bank created with remittances received from NRBs, he said adding that the bank would finance development projects in numerous sectors including health, education, energy and infrastructure.

Lt Gen Jahangir said NRBs are also considering setting up an IT platform to provide a creative outlet for strategic interventions and look for job opportunities here.

Foreign Adviser Iftekhar A Chowdhury said that the NRBs and locals must find ways to strengthen linkages through which expatriates can secure investments, assist in education, share their expertise and extend their moral support.

Dr Kamal Hossain, an adviser to the organisers, gave his vote of thanks saying the conference is not only an event but also the start of a process that would strengthen the ties the NRBs have with Bangladesh.

Hansen Clarke, the Michigan state senator of Bangladeshi descent, said he is proud to claim Bengali his heritage.

Merely electing public officials is not enough. Rather, the officials must embrace the traditions of the country, Senator Clarke said adding, “Elected officials should no longer raise their status and serve themselves but must serve others and the people of Bangladesh.”

Sandra Kabir, head of Brac (UK), said remittances should be used to purchase bonds and the NRBs should not only contribute here financially, but also socially and culturally.

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